What is an Americano?

An Americano is made by pulling a double shot of espresso into a cup and then pouring hot water over it. Legend has it that this method was popularized during World War II when American soldiers in Europe added water to Italian espresso to mimic the larger, milder cups of drip coffee they had at home, though given World War II predates the modern, pump-based espresso machine, we have our doubts.

Regardless of the history, the Americano is the closest you can get to a cup of drip coffee using an espresso machine, and is similar in strength and flavor to a cup of drip.

What is a long black?

The long black is a staple of coffee culture in Australia and New Zealand. It uses the same ingredients as an Americano, and differentiates itself in size and, according to some folks, the order of preparation. According to Perfect Daily Grind, a long black is made by “pouring a double shot of espresso…over 100 to 120ml of hot water.” This makes it a relatively small drink.

Long blacks are usually prepared by pulling or pouring shots directly over the water, preserving crema on top of the drink.

The key difference: strength

Many places on the internet will tell you that the main difference between an Americano and a Long Black is the order of ingredients: water on top of espresso for an Americano and espresso on top of water for a Long Black. However, in our experience, this level of standardization for the Americano has little basis in reality. The many former baristas at Trade have all made Americanos in different orders of water and coffee, with some even saying they always put espresso on top.

The main difference in Americanos and Long Blacks as they exist in the wild is size. You definitely can make an Americano that is as small as a Long Black, but if you order a small one at a coffee shop you likely will get at least an 8oz drink, almost double the size of a traditional Long Black.

Which is stronger?

When it comes to caffeine content, both drinks are identical if they use the same double shot of espresso.

In terms of intensity, the shorter long black will taste stronger because the ratio of coffee to water is higher. If you’re at a shop that doesn’t have a “long black” on the menu and want something stronger than their regular Americano, just ask for an Americano with half the water.

Which should you order or make at home?

Both drinks are incredibly easy to make at home if you have an espresso machine or a concentrated brewer like an AeroPress.

• Order an Americano if: You want a drink that’s roughly the same strength as a drip coffee. To make it at home, use any coffee you like as drip or espresso, such as Wonderstate’s Heartstrings.

• Order a long black if: You want a drink that’s not quite as intense as espresso, but stronger than a drip. A complex espresso blend like Blue Orchid is a great choice.

The bottom line: quality starts with the bean

A long black preserves more crema and a more intense espresso flavor, while an Americano is milder and more forgiving. Both come down to the quality of the espresso you start with.

Whether you are pulling shots for a long black or diluting an Americano, using fresh, roasted-to-order beans is essential. To find the right profile for your home setup, take the taste quiz or browse our full espresso collection to find beans that stand up to hot water without losing their character.